What happens to the ownership of a joint tenancy with right of survivorship when one co-tenant dies?

In a joint tenancy with the right of survivorship, when one co-tenant dies, the ownership of the property is automatically transferred to the surviving co-tenant(s) in severalty. This means that the surviving owner takes full, individual ownership of the property without the need for probate or any legal proceedings to settle the deceased’s share.

This characteristic of joint tenancy is what distinguishes it from other forms of co-ownership, such as tenancy in common, where the deceased’s share would typically pass to their heirs and not automatically to the surviving co-tenant. The right of survivorship ensures that the surviving owner maintains seamless and uninterrupted ownership over the entire property, promoting continuity and avoiding complications that can arise in the distribution of assets after death.